Posted on 05/12/2025 12:31:47 PM PDT by Morgana
In one of the worst wrongful birth lawsuits in history, the parents of a daughter with cystic fibrosis have won $2 million in a lawsuit against their OBGYN, claiming their daughter’s disability prevents them from enjoying their lives.
A Connecticut couple won a $2 million settlement in the lawsuit, a case that pro-life advocates say devalues the inherent worth of every human being.
Elizabeth and Eric Trotter filed the suit in 2020, alleging that medical negligence prevented them from making an informed decision about their daughter Madelyn’s conception or birth.
Madelyn, now 6, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after her 2018 birth. The genetic disorder, caused by a mutation inherited from both parents, leads to thick mucus buildup in the lungs and other organs, requiring extensive medical care. The Trotters argued that their doctor failed to test Elizabeth for the cystic fibrosis gene during her pregnancies, depriving them of the chance to avoid conceiving Madelyn or potentially killing her in an abortion.
They claimed their daughter’s condition has caused them emotional distress and limited their personal and professional lives, a stance that pro-life groups argue reduces a child’s value to a consumerist standard of “perfection.”
From a pro-life perspective, the lawsuit raises profound ethical concerns, suggesting that a child’s life can be deemed a harm if it comes with challenges.
Framing a child’s existence as a loss undermines the dignity of all individuals, especially those with disabilities. Madelyn is a beautiful, valuable human being, and her life is a gift, not a burden.
The Trotters’ legal victory highlights the growing prevalence of “wrongful birth” lawsuits, which pro-life advocates criticize as promoting a culture that views disabled children as undesirable. In this case, the couple claimed Madelyn’s medical needs, including twice-daily respiratory therapy and frequent hospitalizations, have forced them to prioritize her care over their own aspirations.
Yet, pro-life commentators point to stories like that of Carsten Manring, a teenager with cystic fibrosis who attended a similar trial to demonstrate that the condition does not preclude a fulfilling life. Manring, an avid hunter and skier, told a Montana courtroom, “CF doesn’t hold me back.”
Pro-life groups hope Madelyn’s story will inspire a reevaluation of such lawsuits, emphasizing that every life has intrinsic worth. They argue that instead of seeking damages for a child’s existence, society should focus on supporting families with resources and medical advancements, which have extended cystic fibrosis life expectancy to around 50 years.
What evil really looks like.
Lawsuits like this are why some rural areas lost their OBGYNs.
The local nitwit juries believe doctors are bottomless pits of money for plunder.
What did that guy aspire to? Tattoo artist?
Only if this particular genetic issue is a standard test. If they told the doctor that they were both carriers and ge refused to test, then he is liable to a degree. They could have sought a second opinion or fired him and used another doctor.
“What a despicable, selfish, self-centered couple. It’ s “all about meeeee!””
The internet is forever. That child will grow up and read these articles.
That child will realize her parents wanted her dead because she had a disease.
What will they tell her then?
What will they tell her when they are old and sick?
So, does it say that the doctor was found negligent for not providing a standard genetic test that is performed on every pregnant mother? Did he not test all his patients or did he not test this particular patient?
When they are old and sick maybe their daughter will treat her parents with the same kindness that they treated her.
Almost but not quite. The child will realize that her parents used her disease to win a lawsuit and blow it all on themselves with little of it going to an investment for her life. That's what she'll be mad about.
Why dont they just put a bag over their heads and see how it feels? We are not put here on Earth for our own fun.
I’m glad I’m 63 and will be gone before we totally go to Moloch.
“Mommy? Daddy? If you guys can’t earn as much money as you potentially could’ve because of me, how did we afford so many nice things?
“Well, you see Pumpkin, we sued the doctor for $2 million because he didn’t tell us you were going to ruin our lives. If he had told us, you would have been dismembered and vacuumed out of my body, Sweetie Pie.”
That pour girl is going to need years of therapy to feel with the guilt complex her sperm and egg donors have foisted upon her.
“”This seems insane.””
I agree. I didn’t see anything in the article about what careers the parents have making their “professional” lives difficult...I would have thought anyone would be ashamed to come up with such a reason to sue but not in today’s world.
What must the child think as she gets older? They would have gotten rid of me if they’d known? Poor kid!
“There once was a Dr. named George Tiller, until Scott Roeder put him in the chiller”.
It’s sad to see how far we’ve drifted from God.
What’s wrong with this picture?!
I hope these parental units lose all custody and are forbidden to go anywhere near children.
Did the parents not get genetic testing for conditions beforehand to know the risk?
If they were that worried about producing a trophy baby they should have thought of that.
Well the good news is that the attorneys will get at least 50% of this THEN the rest will be taxed at 50% so they really end up with a whole lot of nothing!! May they rot in hell for their utter selfishness!!
I checked. Actually, it’s not standard. There are recommendations, but it appears to be state-by-state.
The genetic counseling doesn’t get triggered unless there is an abnormal test in the first trimester. So the million dollar question is: Was there an abnormal reading that should have triggered a deeper study?
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